ADDICTS BACK CHIEF'S CALL TO LEGALISE DRUGS

Addicts in Wrexham have spoken out in favour of North Wales police
chief Richard Brunstrom's controversial proposals to legalise drugs.

On the day that the much scrutinised proposals will be considered by
the police authority, patients of The Elms in Wrexham, being treated
for heroin addiction, have endorsed the radical solution to tackling
drug use.

One 26-year-old being helped by the centre said: "The problem with
drugs being illegal is that you centre most of your life on getting
hold of them.

"You get up and have to find a dealer. You can't do anything until you
have got your fix. Only once you have it can you get on with your day."

Last week Mr Brunstrom hit the headlines when he urged that the Misuse
of Drugs Act of 1971 should be replaced by a new Substance Misuse Act,
'based upon the legalisation and careful regulation of all substances
of abuse in one consistent manner'.

In an Evening Leader poll, 67 per cent of those who responded agreed
that drugs should be made legal, while 28 per cent were against the
proposal.

A total of seven per cent believed 'softer' drugs should be made
legal, but not class A drugs.